Postpartum Depression in Teen Moms Warning Signs and Treatment Paths
Postpartum depression in teen moms is a common mental health condition that needs attention and support, affecting as many as one in every three teen moms.1
On this page, we’ll talk about postpartum depression in teens, what causes it, how to spot it early on, and – most importantly – how to get help. Whether you’re a new mom or someone who cares about one, let’s talk openly and honestly about what depression after birth in teen mothers looks like, and what will help you feel better.
Understanding Postpartum Depression in Teen Moms
PPD is twice as common in teen moms than in adult mothers.1 With so many affected by it, it’s important that we clue ourselves up on exactly what postpartum depression is.
Postpartum depression, also called PPD, is when you have depression symptoms that begin from childbirth and up to one year after. You may have heard a different term being used: Perinatal depression in youth. Perinatal means that you experience depression anytime from the beginning of the pregnancy all the way through to one year after giving birth. Given how common PPD is, surprisingly few women get the treatment they need.2
There’s also the “baby blues”, which is when you feel tired, worried, and sad after having a baby. You may be crying over spilled milk one moment and then feel overwhelmed with love for your baby the next. “Baby blues” are normal in the first few days or weeks after giving birth, and usually clear up on their own within a couple of weeks.3
However, PPD is more serious than this. It can make it difficult to get on with daily life or care for your newborn. If you feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed and these feelings last longer than two weeks after giving birth, you may have postpartum depression.4
Unfortunately, PPD doesn’t go away on its own (even if we wish it would!). It could keep going for months or even years. Thankfully, treatment is available that can help you feel better.
Remember: You haven’t done anything wrong if you have postpartum depression. It’s a mental health condition that affects many young moms and can be treated effectively with the right support. If you’re worried you may have PPD, keep reading to discover the clues to watch for.
Early Warning Signs of Teen PPD
PPD symptoms in adolescents can include:4,5
Feeling sad, hopeless, or angry- Feeling guilty or ashamed
- Crying a lot
- Eating more or less than normal
- Issues with sleeping
- Finding it difficult to make decisions
- Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Feeling restless
- Withdrawing from other people
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
If you can relate to some of these, you may be showing the signs of PPD in teenagers and should check in with your doctor, nurse, OB-GYN, or therapist. You don’t need to tick every item in the list for it to be PPD – just a couple may indicate something is going on. The sooner you seek support, the sooner you can feel better.
Feeling depressed isn’t fun: Chances are, you don’t want to feel like this. Your self-esteem suffers, you may turn to unhealthy coping strategies, or potentially feel suicidal. That’s why it’s vital to get help quickly, not only for your health but for your baby, too. That’s right – PPD can affect your newborn. If it’s left untreated, you may not be able to care for your child, and it can even delay their development.6
This isn’t said to scare or upset you. It’s to make you aware of what can happen if PPD goes untreated. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help you feel better and be the best mom you can be. But before we dive into treatment options, let’s take a quick look at what puts you at risk of having postpartum depression, and the reasons so few people get the help they need and deserve.
Risk Factors and Barriers to Diagnosis
Suddenly finding yourself in the new role of a mom- Being physically exhausted
- Sleep deprivation
- Money worries
- Feeling isolated or alone
- Demands of finishing school
- Lack of social support at home, from your partner, family, friends, or community
- Relationship difficulties
- Having had depression before
- Poor body image
- The stigma of being a teen mom
These are some of the biggest risk factors for postpartum depression in teen moms. However, some people feel like they can’t reach out and get the help they so desperately need. The stigma of being a pregnant teen or a teen mother can put people off seeking support.
Also, many young women don’t know much about PPD – it’s not something that’s widely talked about. That’s why knowing what signs to keep watch for, and knowing how it can affect you and your baby in the long run, are so important. Knowledge is power, and accessing treatment and support early on can help nip problems in the bud.
Youth mental health after childbirth matters, and you deserve care and support. That’s why we’ve got the treatment options for teen PPD coming up next.
Treatment for Teen Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression in teen moms can be overcome with the right treatment and support. There are several treatments and coping strategies available, including medication, talking therapy, support groups, and self-care.
Antidepressants for PPD
Antidepressants are often prescribed to help you cope with symptoms of depression. They can lift your mood and help you feel calmer, allowing you to carry on with your daily life again. Recently, the FDA approved a pill called Zurzuvae (Zuranolone) as the first oral medication for postpartum depression in adults. Researchers found that it reduced symptoms much quicker than traditional antidepressants.7Be aware, though, that antidepressants come with side effects, and there is a small chance of the medication being passed to your baby through breast milk if you are breastfeeding. If you’re thinking of taking antidepressants for PPD, talk to your healthcare provider about the pros and cons, including any risks to your child.
Counseling for Young Moms With PPD
Therapy is a powerful way to treat PPD. Some of the most effective types of therapy for postpartum teen moms are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).8CBT teaches you how to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to recover from depression. IPT, on the other hand, helps you to improve how you communicate in relationships, which in turn reduces the extra stress you may be experiencing that adds to depression.
Support Groups
Support groups can be a great resource for teen moms. They provide a safe space where you can find emotional support, share your experiences, and get practical tips from other people who have been in your shoes. Read more on our page about support groups for teen moms.
Self-Care
Looking after yourself has probably dropped right down on the list of things to do when you’ve got your little one to look after, right? Yet self-care can make a huge dent in depression. Research shows that certain foods are linked with lower levels of depression, while exercise is great for boosting your mood and tackling both depression and anxiety.9-11Check out our resources on the benefits of exercise for depression and holistic treatments for teen depression to find out more.
Combining Multiple Treatment Approaches
Treatment doesn’t have to be just one of the options above: It can be a combination of support approaches. While medication can lift your mood, it often doesn’t solve the entire problem. It can get you out of the paralyzing funk of depression, which in turn can help you be in the right headspace for therapy. Therapy can address the root of the problem, allowing you to heal.
Whichever treatments you are considering, getting help starts with having a conversation with your healthcare provider about your mental health – whether that’s your OB-GYN, doctor, or therapist.
How to Support Teen Mental Health Post-Birth
If you know a teen who’s just had a baby, you may be wondering what you can do to help them. Postpartum depression in teen moms can be hard to talk about, but opening up and being real with each other can make a difference. Here are some tips:
1. Normalize Conversations About Mental Health
It sometimes feels easier to respond to someone asking how you’re doing with “Yeah, I’m fine” rather than admitting they’re not doing so great. Creating a safe space, having some time, and talking to someone you trust can make the difference between the answers of “I’m fine” and “To be honest, it’s all so overwhelming.” Brush up on postpartum mental health challenges like PPD so that you can recognize the signs and symptoms as you both talk. Then, you’ll be prepared if it comes up.
2. Practical Support
Ask them what would help them the most. You could offer to help out by changing diapers, soothing their baby, or looking after their child so they can go and have a nap. Or, give them a hand with cooking and cleaning to take some of the pressure off their shoulders. Even a shoulder to cry on or a hug in silence can take some of the weight of PPD off.
3. Encourage Self-Care
It can be difficult to look after both yourself and a baby, and the baby is going to be the mom’s priority. So, help the baby momma to look after herself. You could suggest that you both take the baby out for a walk, meaning she is getting some exercise which helps with mood. Or, cooking a healthy meal to eat together so that she gets those all-important vitamins and minerals to keep her healthy. You could look after her baby while she does something she enjoys, like singing or socializing for an hour or two. Connecting with people and doing something joyful works wonders for your mood.
4. Seeking Professional Help
Sometimes, you can have the best self-care and friends in the world, but mental health can still plummet. If you know a teen who is struggling with a condition like PPD, encourage her to talk to her doctor or OB-GYN about mental health.
The most important thing if they are struggling is to get the help they need and deserve. With so many treatment options available, no one should be left to battle PPD alone.
Finding Postpartum Depression Support
If you’ve been feeling sad or disconnected after giving birth, know that you are not alone and that what you are feeling is real. Postpartum depression in teen moms is common and treatable. It doesn’t make you a bad parent, and it doesn’t mean you’re weak. There are so many pressures and responsibilities on young mothers and postpartum mental health can slip. You’re going through something challenging, and you deserve help and support.
At Mission Prep, we provide therapy designed specifically for teen moms, because we truly understand the challenges they face. We offer approaches including CBT and Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), all backed up by evidence to prove their effectiveness. We also work closely with the family and healthcare providers to ensure that the care you receive is smooth and consistent.
Are you ready to start enjoying motherhood and feel like your old self again? Call us today to talk to one of our friendly advisors or contact us online. We’re here to listen – and to help.
References
- Phipps, M. G., Raker, C. A., Ware, C. F., & Zlotnick, C. (2013). Randomized controlled trial to prevent postpartum depression in adolescent mothers. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 208(3), 192.e1-192.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2012.12.036
- CDC. (2024, May 15). Gestational diabetes and postpartum depression. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/gestational-diabetes-postpartum-depression.html
- American Pregnancy Association. (2023, November 25). Baby blues. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/first-year-of-life/baby-blues/
- Office on Women’s Health (OASH). (2023, October 17). Postpartum depression. https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression
- Yozwiak, J. A. (2009). Postpartum Depression and Adolescent Mothers: A Review of assessment and Treatment Approaches. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 23(3), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2009.09.003
- Ladores, S., & Corcoran, J. (2019). Investigating postpartum depression in the adolescent mother using 3 potential qualitative approaches. Clinical Medicine Insights Pediatrics, 13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179556519884042
- U.S. Food And Drug Administration. (2023, August 4). FDA approves first oral treatment for postpartum depression. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-treatment-postpartum-depression
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). Perinatal depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression
- Bayes, J., Schloss, J., & Sibbritt, D. (2022). The effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young males (the “AMMEND: A Mediterranean Diet in MEN with Depression” study): a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 116(2), 572–580. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac106
- Li, Y., Lv, M., Wei, Y., Sun, L., Zhang, J., Zhang, H., & Li, B. (2017). Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 253, 373–382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020
- Carek, P. J., Laibstain, S. E., & Carek, S. M. (2011). Exercise for the treatment of depression and anxiety. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 41(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.2190/pm.41.1.c
